KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd (AAGL) has launched its fifth airline, AirAsia Cambodia, as the aviation industry continues to rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic, the worst aviation crisis in history.
AirAsia’s decision to venture into Cambodia underscores its resilience and determination to reclaim growth, despite the formidable challenges faced by the sector.
The new airline will take off on May 2, 2024, and operate out of Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), with an initial fleet of two Airbus A320s.
Fares are now on sale on three domestic routes from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, with plans to grow the network in the future.
AAGL chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim said the launch of AirAsia Cambodia marks another momentous occasion for AirAsia to provide low-cost and high-value travel for the people of ASEAN to connect with friends and family and explore the region and beyond.
“After the most challenging period, the new airline is a significant milestone in our incredible journey of expansion and recovery from the turbulence posed by the pandemic.
“With the aviation sector in its infancy, Cambodia and its 17 million population offer a wealth of opportunities for cultural, historical, and natural experiences, and we are proud to be able to connect travellers from all over the world to this remarkable country,” he said in a statement.
Group chief executive officer Bo Lingam said AirAsia founders Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and Tony Fernandes have always envisioned making ASEAN a smaller place.
“AirAsia has a long history in Cambodia, and we see much-untapped potential in the region, including the opportunity to train and graduate hundreds of skilled pilots, engineers, and other professional aviation workers, much like how we have done in Malaysia, Thailand and the rest of the countries we operate in.
“The launch of AirAsia Cambodia further cements our mission to truly own ASEAN for affordable travel, where our brand and footprint are strongest. Historically, we have six routes into Cambodia across the group, carrying 1.3 million passengers into the kingdom,” he said.
Lingam said AAGL remain focused on building an incredible network in its core markets that cannot be surpassed with the best connectivity and flight frequencies.
“Everything great starts with two planes. In the next five years, we aim to grow AirAsia Cambodia’s fleet to 60 planes.
“With the pending merger of all of the AirAsia airlines in the group as a single listed company, including medium-haul affiliate airline AirAsia X, we will have seven airlines leveraging off one another to over 130 destinations and growing.
“This will truly transform the future of short—and longer-haul air travel across ASEAN and beyond,” Lingam said.
AirAsia’s expansion into Cambodia is a testament to the airline’s deep-rooted understanding of the ASEAN market and its unwavering commitment to delivering the best value and exceptional service across the region.
With its strong brand presence and a loyal customer base, AirAsia is poised to significantly impact Cambodia’s aviation landscape, with over 300 new specification aircraft on order across the AAGL group.
